Sunday Times reports that cash-strapped universities have cut spending, but the executives who run them are pocketing multimillion-rand salaries.  

Of SA’s 26 universities, 19 have disclosed the 2017 annual salaries of their vice-chancellors.  They range from R2.5m to R4.5m.  Stellenbosch University vice-chancellor Wim de Villiers topped the list with R4.5m, which included a R30,000 bonus.  Close behind was former University of Venda head Peter Mbati, who pocketed R4.2m.  Former University of Johannesburg vice-chancellor Ihron Rensburg received R17.6m last year, the final year of his 10-year tenure.  Of this, R13.7m was in retention incentives accumulated over the 10 years — which worked out to an average annual incentive of R1.3m.  The salaries and perks paid out to some vice-chancellors — the academic world’s equivalent of CEOs — have sparked calls for the Department of Higher Education and Training to investigate.  One vice-chancellor acknowledged that some of his peers were receiving exorbitant salaries and perks.  “There should be a uniform salary structure for all vice-chancellors,” he said, describing Rensburg’s R17.6m payout as “ridiculous”.

• Read the full original of the report by Prega Govender at Sunday Times (paywall access only)

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